ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with a brief delineation of the 2009-to-present Greek sovereign debt crisis and its effects on Greek social and political life, considering the events of 2015 as a manifestation of the ongoing economic crisis, Greek audience was faced with two disparate discourses. The first discourse supported a 'Yes' vote, calling on them to cast a vote for the least deleterious option for the country, accepting austerity to avoid economic disaster. The second discourse supported a 'No' vote, calling on Greeks to reject the proposed offer and act as citizens whose pride has been slighted and whose nation's sovereignty is being threatened. The various Greek governments selectively applied the agreed measures, favouring increases in taxation and cuts to the country's social safety net over structural reforms, in exchange for the release of bailout tranches while twice refinancing with new loans.
